Foot measuring device



Filed June 20, 1960 JNVENTOR.

M Mw Mr# United States `Patent O ddflll POST MEASURNG DEVICE Andrew DelPesco, Danielson, Conn. Filed .lune 2t), 195i), Ser. No. 37,163 7Claims. (Cl. 33-3) The present invention relates to a foot measuringdevice. More particularly the present invention relates to an implementfor easily and conveniently obtaining correct foot measurements and forchecking a wearers shoe to determine the correctness of the ittingthereof on the wearers foot.

The usual procedure in obtaining the correct length and width size of afoot for the purpose of fitting a person with proper shoes is to utilizea measuring device that is provided with a scale upon which the foot tobe measured is placed. The heretofore known foot measuring devices wereusually constructed in an elongated one piece construction and includeda scale that was calibrated so that the length size could be readdirectly thereon. The width size of the foot was then determined bymoving the foot to another scale or by utilizing a separately movablemeasuring element in conjunction with a width scale. Normally theheretofore known foot measuring devices were bulky and cumbersome andconsequently could not be conveniently carried on the person of a shoeclerk who would normally utilize the device for measuring the foot forwidth and length sizes. In measuring childrens feet for shoes it isdesirable to have a measuring device that is conveniently available tothe clerk, that is simple to operate and constructed such that theproper shoe size of a persons foot may be quickly and easily obtained.

Although these prior known foot measuring devices had some degree ofaccuracy m obtaining the correct size of the wearers foot, they couldnot insure that a proper lit would be obtained by the shoe selected. ltis known that shoe sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer andconsequently the designated size of a Shoe may not correspond to themeasured size of the wearers foot. Heretofore if shoes were missized orvaried in accordance with the manufacturer, a correct itting wasonlypossible through the experience and skill of the shoe clerk. Thepresent invention is designed to eliminate this hit and miss techniquein determining whether a proper size shoe has been selected, even afterthe foot has been measured, and provides a device that when properlyemployed will immediately reveal whether the shoe selected is the propersize. The present invention is also designed to permit periodic checksto be made to determine whether the shoe selected is correctly tting thewearers foot even after a period of wear. This feature has particularapplication in connection with childrens shoes, since childrens feetnormally grow at a relatively rapid rate and it is the rule rather thanthe exception when a childs shoe lits properly after only a short periodof wear. Since the present invention is designed to not only measure thefoot but to also measure the shoe, a comparison can be made at any timeto deteirnine whether the shoe being Worn is the proper t.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to produce a footmeasuring device that is simple to use, compact in size and accurate inindicating correct shoe sizes.

Another object is to provide an implement for measuring a shoe for sizeas well as measuring feet, thereby enabling a comparison of the sizes ofthe shoe and foot to be made to determine whether the shoe selected isthe correct size.

Still another object is to provide an implement for determining whethera particular shoe properly its the wearers foot, the determination beingmade without having to measure the wearers foot for size.

Still another object is to provide an implement for measuring the insidelength of a shoe to determine Whether suihcient toe room exists for thewearers foot.

Still another object is to provide a foot measuring device that insuresthat the shoe selected as a result of the measurement thereby will havegrowth room, functional space and will compensate for any use shrinkage.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a footmeasuring device that includes a pivotally mounted toe rest thatcooperates with a heel rest to register the proper length size of afoot.

Still another object is to provide a scale member for use in a footmeasuring device that includes a numbered scale that indicates widthsizes, a measuring element engaging the scale member and being movablerelative thereto for obtaining the length and width size of the footbeing measured.

Still another object is to provide a foot measuring device having apivotally mounted toe rest that is adapted to indicate whether aparticular shoe is the proper size for the wearers foot.

Still another object is to teach a method of obtaining correct lengthand width size of a foot so that the proper size shoe may be tted on thefoot.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant inventionwill be apparent from the following descriptions taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the foot measuring device embodiedherein showing the relative positions of the scale member and themeasuring element that is slidably mounted therein, the toe rest that ispivotally mounted on the outer end of the measuring element being shownin the upper position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating the toe rest inthe lower position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the scale member, the slidably mountedmeasuring element having been removed therefrom;

FG. 4 is a top plan view of the measuring element that is adapted to beslidably received within the scale member;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the end of themeasuring member showing the toe rest being moved from the uprightposition shown in FIG. l to the lower or horizontal position shown inFIG. 2; and,

FIG. 7 is a sectional viewtaken along the longitudinal axis of the footmeasuring device and illustrating the manner in which the Width size ofthe foot being measured is obtained.

The foot measuring device embodied herein is shown for use primarily inobtaining shoe sizes or for measuring shoes usually associated withchildren. However, it is understood that the basic concept of theinvention can be utilized in obtaining shoe sizes for both men and womenas well as children and therefore if desired the foot measuring devicemay be amplified to include additional scale calibrations foraccommodating larger foot sizes.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. l, the footmeasuring device embodied herein is illustrated and is generallyindicated at 10. The component parts of the foot measuring device arepreferably molded of a plastic material thereby reducing manufacturingcosts and enabling various color combinations to be easily utilized.However it is understood that other materials such as light weightmetals and wood can be employed without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The foot measuring device 10 includes two basic components,the first being a scale member generally indicated at 12 in FIG. 3 andthe second being a measuring element generally indicated at 14 in FIG.4. As seen in FIG. 3 the scale member 12 is substantially elongated inconfiguration and includes a substantially at body portion 16 that isformed with an inverted T- shaped slot 18 in the upper surface thereof,the slot deiningopposedV upper faces 19 and 20. The slot 18 extendssubstantially the length of the body portion 16, and is spaced from therear end thereof but extends through the front end thereof. Moldedintegrally with body portion 16 on the rear end thereof and adjacent theclosed end of the slot 18 is an -upstanding projection 21 that has aconcave inner surface and thereby defines a heel rest for receivingthereagainst the heel of a foot that is to be measured.

Imprinted on the upper face 19 of the body portion 16 and adjacent theVslot 1S is a scale indicated at 22 that is calibrated in accordancewith the accepted length sizes of childrens shoes and accordinglyincludes' numbered indicia reading-from the childs shoe length size of 6up to and including adult-size of 6. The markings of the calibratedscale 22 extends substantially the length of the slot 18 andalsoincludes half sizes, since all shoe manufacturers make shoes in halfsizes. Formed on the other face of the slot 18 and extending along onlya portion thereof is a calibrated scale 24`that includes letteredindiciabeginning with the letter A and ending with the letter F. Thelettered scale 24 is adapted lto indicate childrens Width size and aswill be discussed hereinafter is calibrated so as to be interrelated tothe movement ofthe measuringelement 14.

Referring now to FIG. 4 lthe measuring element 14 is illustrated in moredetail and as shown includes an elongated body 26' (FIG. 5)y that has aninverted' T-shaped configuration and that is adapted to be slidablyreceived Within the slot 18. Extending along one edge of the body 26 areserrations indicated at 28 that are adapted to coact with a projectionthat is formed within the slot 1S. The projection 30 provides aratcheting action with respect to the serrations 28 and insures that themeasuring element 14 will be retained at the position to which it ismoved. An enlarged serration 32 formed on the body Zoadjacent the innerend thereof (FIG. 4) is adapted to engage the projection 30 uponwithdrawal of the measuring element 14 to the outermost positionthereof, andv thereby prevents the measuring element 14 from beinginadvertently withdrawn from the slot 18. If it is desired the measuringelement 14 may be removed from engagement with the scale member 12 byexerting a suicient pull thereon to cause the serration 32 to be forcedby theA projection 30.

Formed. on the measuring element 14 are a plurality of spacedprotuberances 34 that extend above the surface of the body 26 and assuch define detents that are adapted lto be contacted by the linger nailof the user of the device. It will be noted that the protuberances ordetents 34 are numbered, the numbers corresponding to the numberedindicia 22 inscribed on the scale member` 12. As will be more apparenthereinafter the detents 34 are spaced in a predetermined manner so as toposition the measuring element 14 with respect to the foot beingmeasured when the width size of the foot is to be obtained. Also formedon the upper surface of the body 26 is an arrowhead indicator 36 that isadapted to be aligned with one of the numbered indicia on the lengthscale 22 when the measuring element 14 is adjusted in accordance withthe length of the foot being measured. A second arrowhead indicator 38which is formed as an extension of the indicator 36 is adapted to bealigned with one of the lettered indicia on the width scale 24 so as to`obtain the width size of the foot being measured.

Joined to the body portion 2.6 of the measuring element 14 on the endthereof opposite the indicators 36 and 38 is a pivotally mounted toerest 40. The toe rest 4t) is provided with a central cut-out portion 42that receives a projection 44 that is formed integral with the outer endof the scale member body portion 26. A pin 46 extends through the legsof the toe rest 49 defined by the cutout portion 42 and through theprojection 44 to pivotally mount the toe rest 4d with respect to thebody portion 26. Since the ends of the legs of the toe rest 4i) arelocated in closely engaging relation with respect to the outer edge ofthe body portion 26, the edge acts as a camming surface to retain thetoe rest 4? in either the upper position as shown in FIG. l or in thelower position as shown in FIG. 2. The camming action by the outer edgeof the body portion 26 with respect to the legs of the toe rest 4G isshown more clearly in FIG. 6. Formed on the outermost end of the bodyportion 26 adjacent the projection 44 is a projection 4S that is adaptedto limit inward movement of the toe rest 40 and thereby causes the toerest, 4@ to remain in an elevated or upright position during the footmeasuring operation. As will be more fully set forth hereinafter the toerest 40 is adapted to be utilized in comparing the measurement of thefoot with the measurement of the shoe selected and is also employed forVchecking old shoes to determine whether they are the proper size for thewearer. In this connection, the toe rest defines the amount of spacethat is required between the end of the large toe l f the wearers footand the toe of the shoe. This dimension which has been ascertainedthrough experimentation is necessary in order that the foot may have therequired room for expansion in all phases of activity.

In use, when the foot measuring device 11B is utilized to obtain a shoesize, the foot to be measured indicated at Si? in FIG. 7 is placed onthe scale member 12 with'the heel of the foot in engagement with theheelV rest 21 and the toespointing outwardly toward the toe rest 40.With the toe rest 40 in the elevated or upright position there- Aof themeasuring element 14 is adjusted with respectV to the scale member 12until the large toe of the foot-50 just contacts or engages the toe rest4t?. The indicator 36 now points to-one of the numbered indicia on thescale 22, and this number is the correct shoe size` in length for thefoot'. With the length of the foot 50 obtained, the device is thenshifted in position with respect to the foot, and as shown in FIG. 7,the device assumes la position wherebythe longitudinal axis thereof isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the foot. The person measuringthe foot S43 then places his thumb or nger in the detent 34 thatcorresponds to the length that has just been obtained. As shown in FIG.1, the indicator 36 points to the number 9. The person measuring thefoot Si) then places his thumb behind the detent numbered 9 on the scale34 and moves the measuring element 14 toward the side of the foot 56 asshown by the arrow in FIG. 7 until the thumb just makes contacttherewith. The arrowhead indicator 3S now points to a width size whichis the correct width size of the foot 50. With the correct width andlength ysize obtainedr a shoe bearing the corresponding sizing may beproperly tted on the foot.

It is signiieant that the length size ofthe foot is obtained by locatingthe measuring element 14 such that` the toe rest 40 is just in contactwith the large toe of the foot 50. If' the toe rest 40 is movedor'pivoted to the outer position thereof by the toe, then the sizeindicated is too small and thevmeasuring element 14 must be repositionedso that the foot 50 is within the confines of the heel and toe rests inengaging relation therewith, the toe rest remaining in the uprightposition thereof.

It is sometimes desirable todetermine whether a shoe is a proper fit fora particular foot. Thisfmay be determined by using the pivotallyconstructed toe rest 40. The toe rest 40 is first moved to the lower orhorizontal position as shown in FIG. 2. The foot measuring device 10 isthen placed within the shoe and the measuring element 10 is adjusteduntil the toe rest 40 just engages the inside edge of the toe of theshoe. With the heel rest positioned against the rearrnost portion of theheel of the shoe, the foot measuring device is then withdrawn and thesize indicated by the indicator 36 should correspond to the measuredsize of the foot as previously obtained. This comparison of measuredfoot size and measured shoe size provides an additional checkforvdetermining whether the shoe selected is the proper size for thewearer.

It isfrequentlydesir'able Vto check the shoes of a child to determinewhether they are properly tting the childs feet. In this connection itis not always practical to visit a shoe store for a fitting and for thispurpose the toe rest 4t) is also provided. In order to check the oldshoe size, the toe rest 4t? is moved to the lower or horizontal positionas shown in FIG. 2 and the device is placed in the childs shoe, asdescribed above, with the heel rest engaging the inside heel of theshoe. The measuring element 14 is then moved outwardly until the loweredtoe rest engages the toe of the shoe. The device is removed from theshoe and the toe rest pivoted to the upright position as shown in FIG.l, The childs foot is then placed on the foot measuring device with theheel thereof in engagement with the heel rest 2l. if the toe of the footcauses the toe rest 49 to be moved outwardly, then the shoe is too bigfor that particular foot. Ir the toe is displaced inwardly with respectto the toe rest 4l), then the shoe is too large. If the toe just engagesthe toe rest 46, then the shoe is the proper lit for that particularfoot. It is seen, therefore, that the longitudinal dimension of the toerest 4i) defines that amount which should be present between the toe ofthe foot and the outermost end of the toe portion of the shoe. This isthe space that must be present between the outermost end of the foot andthe toe of the shoe, and if more or less than this space is present, theshoe is not a proper fit for that particular foot. This feature hasparticular application in the measurement of childrens shoes sincechildren usually cannot understand when a shoe is properly or improperlyfitted. The usual technique in this regard is to push the toe of theshoe inwardly and feel the approximate location of the toes. Thistechnique requires experience and skill and oftentimes causes incorrectinformation to be obtained. As a result short shoes are not timelydiscarded and oftentimes foot disorders occur.

It is seen that the device may be purchased by the parent and retainedin the home so that periodic checks of the childs shoes can be made fromtime to time to determine whether the child is wearing out-grown orshort shoes.

The foot measuring device 10 embodied herein is not only sirnple inconstruction and compact in form, but is easy to use and gives anaccurate measurement of length and width size. All of the elements thatdefine the foot measuring device are constructed of a plastic materialwhich enables the device to be manufactured economically and furthermoreenables the device to be formed in various colors which adds to theornamental appearance of the device. The matter of obtaining a properlength and width size can be accomplished in a matter of seconds, andthe adjustable toe rest 40 insures that a proper shoe fit will beobtained.

While there is shown and described herein certain specie structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a foot measuring device, an elongated member having a slotextending substantially the length in the upper surface thereof andhaving an upstanding projection positioned at one end thereof, saidprojection having an inner concave surface and defining a heel rest,

a calibrated scale extending alongv one side' of said Aslot andincluding successively numbered indicia that represent foot sizes -inlength, a calibrated scale extending along a portion of the oppositeside of said slot and including successively lettered indicia thatrepresent shoe sizes in width, and a member disposed in said slot andadapted to be slidably moved therein, said slidable member including aprojection that is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis and thatdefines a toe rest, said slidable member being movable within said slotto adjust the toe rest so that it contacts the outermost end of the toeof the foot when the foot is placed on said elongated member with theheel thereof in engagement with said heel rest, an indicator disposed onsaid slidable member on the side adjacent the numbered scale forindicating the foot size in length when the ends of said foot arepositioned in engagement with said heel and toe rests respectively, aplurality of spaced markings formed on said slidable member and sealedin the same sequence to correspond to the numbered indicia on saidelongated member, and a second indicator disposed on said slidable scaleand adapted to be aligned with one of said lettered indicia.

2. In a foot measuring device, an elongated member having a slotextending substantially the length in the upper surface thereof andhaving an upstanding projection joined thereto at one end thereof, saidprojection defining a heel rest, a calibrated scale extending along oneside of said slot and including nurnbered indicia that represent footsizes in length, a calibrated scale extending along a portion of theother side of said slot and including lettered indicia that representfoot sizes in Width, and a member slidably mounted in said slot andincluding an upstanding toe rest, an indicator formed on said slidablemember for indicating the length size of the foot being measured, aplurality of spaced markings formed on said slidable member andidentified by numbered indicia that are arranged in the order thatcorresponds to the order of the numbered indicia on said elongatedmember, and a second indicator formed on said slidable member andadapted to be aligned with one of said lettered indicia for indicatingthe width size of the foot being measured.

3. In a foot measuring device, a scale member having `a heel rest formedon one end thereof, a calibrated nurnbered scale formed on a surface ofsaid scale member adjacent `an edge thereof, and la calibrated letteredscale extending along a portion of said surface `adjacent the other edgethereof, a measuring element slidably mounted in said scale member andmovable with respect thereto, a pivotally mounted toe rest joined to theend of said measuring element opposite said heel rest and cooperatingwith said heel rest to receive la foot that is to be measuredtherebetween, said toe rest being pivotally movable about a horizontal`axis from an upright `to a horizontal position, an indicator on saidmeasuring element for indicating the length of said foot on saidnumbered scale, a plurality of spaced markings on said measuring elementeach of which is identified by a number corresponding to- `a number onsaid numbered scale, and an indicator on said measuring element forindicating a letter on said lettered scale that corresponds to the Widthof the foot being measured.

4. In a method of measuring a foot utilizing a scale member having lacalibrated numbered scale on one side thereof and a calibrated letteredscale on the other side thereof, `a measuring element being slidablymounted on said scale member and having a plurality of scaled markingsthat correspond to said numbered scale, comprising the steps ofpositioning the foot to be measured on said scale member with the lengthof said foot extending in the same direction as the longitudinal axis ofsaid scale member, adjusting said measuring member to the length of saidfoot, whereby a number on said numbered scale is indicated forindicating the length size of said foot, repositioning said scale memberwith respect to said foot so that the length of said foot isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said scale member, placing themeasurers finger in the marking corresponding to the indicated length ofsaid foot and moving said measuring element inwardly until the measurersiinger contacts the side of said foot, a letter on said lettered scalethereby being indicated to indicate the Width size `of said foot.

5. In la foot measuring device, an elongated member having a heel restformed thereon, a slidable member engaging said elongated member `andmovable relative thereto, Iand a pivotally mounted toe rest joined tothe outer end of said slidable member -and movable from an uprightposition to Aa horizontal position to form -an eX- tension of `saidslidable member, the length of said toe rest being of a predeterminedVdimension 'and defining the length of the space required between 'theouter end of a foot and the Itoe of a shoe.

6. In an implement for use in obtaining correct shoe fittings, anelongated member including va portion that defines a heel rest, Iaslidable member engaging said elongated member and movable relativethereto, and a toe rest pivotally connected to the outer end of saidslidable member and forming an extension thereof, said toe rest beingpivotally movable from lan upright to la horizontal position, land 'thelength of said toe rest being of a predetermined dimension and definingthe length of the space required between the outer end of a foot and thetoe of a shoe.

7. In a method of obtaining a correct shoe fitting by utilizing ameasuring implement that includes an elongated member and a movableelement slidably mounted lin said elongated member, and an extensionbeing joined to sm'd movable element, comprising the steps of placingsaid measuring implement in said shoe to be measured, the rear edge ofsaid elongated member engaging the heel of said shoe, moving saidmovable elementinto engagement with the toe of said shoe, removing saidimplement from said shoe, placing the Wearers foot on said implement sothat the wearers heel engages the rear member, and locating Ithe Wearerstoes with respect to said extension to determine if a predeterminedpoint has been exceeded by the Wearers toes.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS edge ofsaid elongated;

5. IN A FOOT MEASURING DEVICE, AN ELONGATED MEMBER HAVING A HEEL RESTFORMED THEREON, A SLIDABLE MEMBER ENGAGING SAID ELONGATED MEMBER ANDMOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO, AND A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TOE REST JOINED TO THEOUTER END OF SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER AND MOVABLE FROM AN UPRIGHT POSITIONTO A HORIZONTAL POSITION TO FORM AN EXTENSION OF SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER,THE LENGTH OF SAID TOE REST BEING OF A PREDETERMINED DIMENSION ANDDEFINING THE LENGTH OF THE SPACE REQUIRED BETWEEN THE OUTER END OF AFOOT AND THE TOE OF A SHOE.